Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-05-05
The Helpless Democracy.

For almost fifty years no president Of
the United States has been re~nominated
unless there were exceptional reasons why
he should have a second term. Since
1910, in fact. only Lincoln and Grant
have been renominated, and the unusual
reasons which brought about The result
in each case were perfectly well urder-
stood, although both Lincoln and Grant
were strongly opposed within their own
party for a second term. Lincoln's con.
t~inuance in Office was regarded as essen.
tial to the successful conduct of the war.
and Grant, having resigned his place at
the head OF the army to become presi
dent, was given a second term because he
well deserved 1t. The last Democratic
president renominated was Van Buren,, in
1910, and he was defeated In the election.
There is a good deal in these brief
points Of history that may be very well
worth the consideration Of President
Cleveland, and 1t is quite certain they
will not escape the attention Of his party.
II is not probable that anyone-not even
such as have been personally benefited
by his administration-will claim that
there are any exceptional reasons for con
tinuing Mr.. Cleveland In the presidency.
There Is nothing TO cause the country to
hesitate to make the change. but many
reasons to urge 1t to do so. Looking at
the matter In Its best light, there is moth
ing whatever In which the Cleveland Ad-
ministration can claim superiority over
that of President Arthur, without being
compelled 10 go further back for COM
parsons. President Hayes, who has been
much reviled, was far more successful In
divorcing the public offices from poll
tics, which has been looked upon as Mr..
Clcveland's specially.
While these facts are plain enough.
another fact is quite as conspicuous, Pre-
sident Cleveland has not won the conf
dence and admiration Of his party. He
has been o leader with an enthusiastic
following; he has not had a policy which
his party in congress or in the country at
large could recognize and accept he has
been at variance on nearly allquestions
with the leading men of his party, and
has been denounced by most of them at
one time or another. In various state leg
islatures during the past winter when
Democratic members have been sounded
on the subject Of presidential candidates
the majority have invariably been against
Cleveland, and in many instances the cx.
prcssions have been overwhelmingly that
way. There is no secret about the feel
ing that he Is not wanted for a second
term, and yet it is on all sides conceded
that he will be renominated unless he de.
clines.
Nothing could more clearly show the
utter decentralization of the Democratic
party. 1t is helpless to assert itself. Is
1t the fear of power and the hope of office
that have withered 1t in this way? If so,
may not another year, when the Cleve-
land Administration is tapering toward
the end, produce a changer In the pres
ent state Of feeling there can be but one
reason why the great majority of Demo
| Gratis want Grover Cleveland renominated
and that is that he, and not some one
whom they love more, may be beaten on
the record he has made. 1t Is beginning
to be suspected that such is the situation.
philadelphia Press.